The Chelsea Society has been fighting, with other local people, to protect the essential character of Chelsea Reach, because the current owner of the moorings has been evicting traditional houseboats and replacing them with much larger box-like floating structures of uniform design and appearance..
The Planning Applications Committee of RBKC has decided on no less than three separate occasions that this activity constitutes a breach of planning control by reason of intensification, and has issued an Enforcement Notice to compel the removal of two mega-boats.
The owner of the moorings has appealed against these decisions and the Society was very disappointed to find on 1st November 2024 hat his appeal has been allowed.
The Planning Inspector has accepted that the question whether the introduction of the mega-boats constitutes a change in the fundamental character of Chelsea Reach is a matter of opinion for the decision-maker, but she has seen fit to substitute her opinion for that of fifteen elected Councillors of both political parties, and for that of the Chelsea Society and The Cheyne Walk Trust, The Lots Road Neighbourhood Forum, the residents of the houseboats, and very many other local people who submitted written objections.
There must be something wrong with a system where the government can send someone to Chelsea who may never have lived there at any time, with power to substitute her own opinions for the opinions so strongly held by the local people and their elected representatives.
The decision was made as a matter of fact and degree, on the basis of two boats only. However the developer has already brought a third boat to Chelsea Reach, and if as feared he will bring more of these floating pre-fabs, the matter will have to be revisited at a later date.
The Vice-chairman of The Chelsea Society will make a full statement on this important matter at the Society’s AGM on 18th November”
